DINUBA – With winter weather in the rear view mirror, the city of Dinuba is looking to bring the heat with the return of a beloved annual tradition.
From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on March 21, Rose Ann Vuich Park will be home to the Fourth Annual BBQ and Brew Fest, bringing some of the Valley’s best barbecue with a host of great beverages to wash it down. This year’s event is slated to be bigger than ever, with more prizes cash on the line, more activities and even better times.
“We can see it every year, just getting bigger and bigger, so we’re wanting to add a little more every year,” said Heather Leiferman, events coordinator for the city of Dinuba.
Leiferman shared that some new additions to this year’s fest include free mechanical bull rides and inflatable attractions, as well as a new lineup of retail vendors. The day’s soundtrack will also be made up of live performances from Wango Twango and the Cripple Creek Band.
Wango Twango will be bringing a bluesy rock sound from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Cripple Creek band will be closing out the day with some country vibes from 2:30-5:30 p.m.
Attendees can also enter the Cen Cal Baggers cornhole tournament, which Leiferman said will cost $40 for a team. Teams can participate in the backyard competition, or the more formal league competition.
Those looking to compete in the barbecue competition will be going after bigger prizes this year, with a total of $15,000 across all categories and placements. Categories include chicken, pork ribs, pork butt, brisket and dessert, and 10 winners will be selected from each category.
Winners can win anything from $50 for 10th place to $600 for first place, but the dessert category is “winner takes all.” The event’s grand champion will earn $3,000 and the reserve champion will earn $1,500.
After a few hours of judging, winners will be announced on the main stage around 5:30. As a Kansas City Barbecue Society sponsored event, the grand champion winner will also be entered to participate in the world competition in Kansas City.
Competitors can apply online, with times for each category listed in the application.
Whether it’s to gun for the grand champion spot, or to simply enjoy a day out in the community, the Fourth Annual BBQ and Brew Fest is looking to be a sizzlingly good time.
